Late Babylonian Mathematical Astronomy

Course Description

Course Description: This course picks up where the previous Telepaideia course on MUL.APIN left off. We'll dive more deeply into Babylonian astronomy by looking at the mathematical procedure texts from the late period, focusing on predictive schemes and the procedural format in transliteration and translation. With instructor-provided tools, we will look at aspects of late Akkadian encoded in these texts, including script and grammar, as well as the characteristic zig-zag and step functions that make this period of astronomical knowledge so interesting. Students will leave this course with a deeper understanding of the Akkadian language as it was used for scientific texts, as well as some of the explicit values and texts that were referenced and borrowed in later Greek astronomy. DETAILS Level: Intermediate. Intermediate. Designed for students with some exposure to Akkadian (e.g., the different between logograms and syllable signs). Textbook: Instructor will provide some materials; others are part of the ORACC project (https://oracc.museum.upenn.edu/projectlist.html). Sections capped at: 5 students. If the course is sold-out, please fill out this waiting-list form.

Details

• Semester: Fall 2026
• Day: Wednesday
• Time: 1:00 PM ET
• First class: September 30, 2026
• Duration: 60 minutes per session

Tuition

$250 per course

Availability

7 spots remaining out of 7

Cancellation Policy

Telepaideia tuition is non-refundable. However, if you need to cancel your enrollment or withdraw from your class, you may be eligible for a 50% credit to be used toward a future Telepaideia course. In order to be eligible for this credit, you must notify info@paideiainstitute.org of your withdrawal before the second class meeting has taken place.